Today is the deadline for any challenges stemming from last Tuesday’s general elections to be filed.
Up to Friday the Election Office had not received any challenges or complaints.
As we reported last week the campaigning for the House leadership position is well underway.
KHJ News understands that the House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale held an initial breakfast meeting with mostly relected incumbents and one or two new members.
It appears that the eight new representatives are remaining low key though its reported that moves are afoot to form a challenge to the current leadership
Larry Sanitoa who received the most votes in the district with the most vpoters, Tuala-uta is steering well away from the speaker’s race, and would only comment on his thoughts about winning one of the two seats for his district.
He told KHJ News he’s thankful to “our Heavenly Father for all His blessings and is deeply moved by the expression of confidence by my beloved district of Tuala-uta to be one of their two representatives in the upcoming legislature.”
He added that he is “immensely grateful to my dear family, church community, friends and supporters for their unwavering support.”
Looking ahead he says the next two years are going to be a challenge, but is prepared to do hisbest, and looks forward to working with fellow Representative Samuelu Meleisea to address “the many issues we are facing today, to help make a difference for our district and hope for the future of our territory.’
Sanitoa acknowledged and extended a fa’afetai tele lava to Vui Florence Saulo, for her service to Tuala-uta and said “I will certainly reach out to her for valuable inputs on the various improvement projects for our district.”
He said there are numerous priorities for Tuala-uta district – the ongoing infrastructure issues with flooding and deplorable secondary roads for all the villages in Tuala-uta.
“We need to find out the status of the Tualauta Mitigation Plan as this has been pending now for over 9 years.
“We will need to seriously look at CIP and Federal Highway funding to help with the number of unbearable secondary roads in the district.”
Sanitoa observed that there are still ongoing problems with necessary supplies and materials for our schools, we have healthcare issues, etc.
In respect to ASG operations, Sanitoa said he will be requesting numerous financial reports from different agencies/departments and boards.
“The recent announcement by ASEDA and the administration to float another $51 million in bonds is very troubling given the debt service will increase to $12 million a year with very questionable revenues for payment,” said the newly elected faipule.
As for the leadership in the House, Sanitoa had this to say: “In our democratic system, it is critical to have a check and balance as a way to ensure the Executive Branch does not exceed its statutory authority under the constitution and laws.
“The HOUSE must do its legislative work and due diligence on all appropriation bills and new laws; to that end as representatives for our respective districts we have an obligation to our constituents to ensure we fulfill our duties and do what is right in their best interest.”
